Saving power in the command processor using queue based watermarks
US10955901B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 2017 |
| Grant date | Mar 23, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D10/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for dynamically adjusting the power consumption of prefetch engines are disclosed. In one embodiment, a processor includes one or more prefetch engines, a draw completion engine, and a queue in between the one or more prefetch engines and the draw completion engine. If the number of packets stored in the queue is greater than a high watermark, then the processor reduces the power state of the prefetch engine(s). By decreasing the power state of the prefetch engine(s), power consumption is reduced. Additionally, this power consumption reduction is achieved without affecting performance, since the queue has a high occupancy and the draw completion engine can continue to read packets out of the queue. If the number of packets stored in the queue is less than a low watermark, then the processor increases the power state of the prefetch engine(s).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.